Women’s Beginner Backpacking July 22-24, 2016

This program for women will provide instruction on the overall basics of backpacking such as food, cooking, clothing, backpack essentials, overnight gear choices, safety considerations and “Leave No Trace” principles. All this in a friendly, low-stress outdoor setting.

This should not be your first hike this year! You will need to be able to carry a backpack containing gear described in the trip checklist for up to 3 km on the first and last day of the 3-day trip. The middle day will involve a moderate day hike. Pack weight should ideally not exceed ~14 kg (30 lbs) including food and water.

The class will include a day to get together for gear check, meal planning and a day hike before the backpacking weekend.

In addition to enjoying the beautiful mountain scenery and friendly company, you’ll experience the adventure of walking in the footsteps of history. You’ll be hiking and camping on the 167-year-old Hudson’s Bay Company “Brigade” Trail which played a key role in British Columbia’s early development. Fur trade historian Kelley Cook will share her knowledge of the people and events that reveal the vibrant life of this historic route.

Highlights:

Overnight in subalpine meadows at Conglomerate Flats Camp.

See wildflower meadows in peak summer bloom.

Hike to Mount Davis and visit an historic camp used by the Hudson’s Bay Company “Fur Brigades” during the 1850’s.

Cross over the “Cascade Divide” where the Fraser and Columbia watersheds meet.

Trail Background:

Completed in 1849, the HBC Trail was built to link the Fraser River at Fort Hope with Fort Kamloops and other important forts farther north to Stuart Lake. For more than a decade, the HBC’s fur empire in Western North America depended on this trail. Brigades of up to 400 horses and men annually pounded over the Cascades in summer and fall, bringing furs west to the coast and carrying food and equipment inland to re-supply the forts. The HBC Trail played a key role in the early history of British Columbia, and before that, was a hunting trail and east-west trade route for First Nations such as the Stó:lo, Nlaka’pamux and Upper Similkameen.

Since 2009, the Hope Mountain Centre has worked with many people and groups to restore the trail. Backpackers and horseback riders can now cross the Cascade Mountains between Hope and Tulameen on a continuous, 74-km wilderness trail. We’re excited to show you the improvements we’ve made and the new overnight camps we’ve constructed!

All participants must be in good health and have average physical fitness. Daily distances and elevation gain will be moderate, enabling beginners to enjoy their first backpacking experience. See ITINERARY for a summary of distance and elevation gain/loss required each day.

A pre-trip meeting and day hike is required, so we can go over gear and enjoy a hike together before the overnight trip. The pre-trip meeting hike will take place in Hope on Sunday, July 17th–please mark it on your calendar. Start time: 10am, meeting place: Hope Recreation Centre. Finished by 3pm.

Participants will need their own vehicles to get to Hope and some will need to drive the 100 km from Hope to Jacobson Lake. The last 50 km are graded gravel road, accessible with any 2-wheel-drive vehicle. Trucks or SUVs are recommended, as potholes, washboard, and road dust can be expected. Participants are encouraged to carpool and share fuel costs.

Everyone age 19 & over must sign a liability waiver form in order to participate in this program. Please take the time to read this form because you must understand and agree to it when you sign it. By signing it you are waiving certain rights, including the right to sue. These forms will be available to sign when you check in. Please seek legal counsel if you have any questions.

If a registration is cancelled 14 days or more before a program starts, HMCOL will refund the program fee and equipment rental fees (as applicable) minus an administrative cost of $20 per person. Program and equipment rental fees will not be refunded if a cancellation is received less than 14 days before the start of a program. A program may be cancelled at the discretion of HMCOL. If a program is cancelled, participants will receive a full refund of program and equipment fees.

A NOTE ABOUT LIABILITY

Hope Mountain Centre carries liability insurance and maintains excellent safety records. Due to the nature of outdoor programs, these trips do involve some personal risk. Hope Mountain Centre assumes no responsibility for personal injury or damage to personal property and we will require each participant to sign a liability release and assumption of risk form before participating in this program.

Please be aware that activities typical of this program involve many risks, dangers and hazards including, but not limited to: accidents which occur during transportation or travel to and from events; slips and falls; loss of balance; impact, cold water immersion; repetitive strain injuries; dislocated shoulders; hypothermia, frostbite, sunburn; changing and inclement weather conditions including storms, blizzards, whiteouts and high wind; steepness of terrain, tree wells, crevasses; avalanches, cornices, landslides and falling ice, snow and objects; encounters with domestic or wild animals; negligence on the part of releasees and other participants.

While we love animals of all kinds, we ask that you please leave pets at home.

PROGRAM PARTNERS

Register now online or reserve your spot by calling 604-869-1274, or by email at lklassen@hopemountain.org for more information.

For more information, please call 604-869-1274 or email at lklassen@hopemountain.org

TRIP LEADERS

Kelley Cook

Kelley is a Princeton resident and resource management specialist. She has a passion for historic trails of the Cascades and has played a leading role in restoring the HBC (1849) Heritage Trail. Kelley recently was awarded a Queen Elizabeth Diamond Jubilee Medal for her trail work, which also includes the Dewdney, Whatcom, Centennial, and China Ridge Trails.

Carley Fairbrother

Carley is a professional teacher with a background in resource management and a graduate of the LNT Master Educator Course. She has had previous experience as a BC Parks ranger and worked for two years at summer camps and outdoor education programs. She has Advanced Wilderness First Aid certification and has been awarded the Lifesaving Society Bronze Cross. Carley loves the outdoors and will share her knowledge of the plants and animals you see along the trail.

Kim Tiessen

Kim lives in Hope where she and her husband are involved in Christian Camping Ministry and Outdoor Education. She is the mother of three and has planned and led several backpacking trips with groups of all ages. Kim has a Bachelor's Degree in Outdoor Recreation Leadership and loves hiking because it is such a rewarding form of exercise both physically, mentally and spiritually.